bluekarin Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I have had this for the past few months and it has recently gotten worse. I am seeing the dr this week about another thing and am hoping to speak to her about this then, but in the meantime, does anyone have any pearls of wisdom on how to ease things? I am trying to make sure I stretch my toes upwards and in turn the tendons under my foot out a bit before standing up, but it doesn't always help. I have no choice but to do a fair amount of walking ( non driver, eldest in wheelchair who I take too and from school, plus a dog that needs her walkies). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 (edited) I can so sympathise! I had this a year or two ago and it was absolute agony . I went straight to a podiatrist not a doctor and she sorted it with some insoles she made specially for me. It sorted itself out within a very short space of time and I haven't had any symptoms since. I now use Sorbothane insoles in my trainers and they are much more comfy and supportive of my insteps. I remember this being discussed on the forum before. Do a search and you should get some useful tips in the meantime. In fact, here's my post on it! http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=80177&p=1111385&hilit=plantar#p1111385 Edited February 3, 2014 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyBean2605 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Best treatment for PF is as follows... Calf stretches for 8 weeks, there are many kinds, these lengthen the calf muscles which can aggravate the condition if too tight. Simple orthotics, these can be bought from most chemists, buy one with an arch support. These help in the short term but you DON'T have to spend a fortune. Vasyli's are good. Rest, Ice (a frozen bottle of water rolled under the arch occasionally) and topical or oral anti-inflammatories can also help but depend on duration. Rarely are steroid injections needed but can be useful in chronic cases to break the inflammation cycle. I've never known anyone need surgery. Hope this helps, your G.P can refer to an NHS Podiatrist if required, GPs aren't too good with foot problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I had this several years ago and my OH had it about 18 months ago. I treated it myself by wearing good supportive footwear, in my case Sketchers Speedster lace up trainers which are the ones with a split down the heel which gives them bounce, they also have fantastic arch support. It took about 6 months for it to improve and probably 9 months to clear completely. My OH did much the same by wearing decent supportive shoes. It is very painful especially first thing in the morning. Hope it improves soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyBean2605 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 The pain in the morning is due to it attempting to heal overnight and swelling, then when you step on it it's painful. If you get chance it's a good idea to massage your heels with a simple moisturiser to disperse the fluid before putting your feet to the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 Thanks ANH and everyone else! Barefoot is a problem as I prefer to walk around barefoot, or at least in socks I will try the insoles, the massage in the mornings and the water bottle ( my mum had this for a year but is all better now. She did the bottle, frozen, and rolled her foot on it) I do wear quite flat shoes esp wellies currently, but my main walking shoes are a pair of Timberland walking boots. They are about 3 years old, so maybe their arch support isn't what it was. It is so wearing, as it doesn't hurt all the time, but boy when it does! I am quite concerned about it due to my eldest having her chronic pain problem after hurting her foot (they thought it was PF) and really really can't let it develop into that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Sterling advice above; mine was sorted after a visit to the osteopath, and gel heel inserts in my trainers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 I am using my daughters silicon heel inserts in my shoes which help with impact. Are they the same as the gel ones you have do you think? Massaged my arch and heel this morning before even putting my feet on the floor when getting up and that seemed to help. Managed to walk downstairs without having to hold onto the handrail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 I don't know if they are the same, mine are for heel and arch, got them from Boots I think. I can find out the name on them tonight if you want. Wearing shoes with enough cushioning on the sole is important, as is enough room to spread your toes properly when you walk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JellyBean2605 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Gel insoles are very helpful as they shock absorb, they are usually blue or white and quite squidgy. Anything referred to as silicone should be similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freddie Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Ouch. I've had it, and remember the pain too vividly. It does go away, eventually. I wore really decent supportive trainers, as I stand and trot about all day at work, the decent footwear does help. And put them up in the eve, if at all possible. i soaked mine every night in a bowl of lovely warm water too.. Don't know whether it made a difference, but it felt nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Your doing All the right things. You can be referred to a podiatrist ( I have one she's terrific. ). A good fitting pair of trainers can help as do flat shoes. If this is recurring do you have any other inflammatory problems ? As this is how my Inflammatory arthritis started, in my hands and feet first. The main advice I get given is keep walking making sure the heel goes down first in a correct manner to stretch the tendons out.....It is ok to get this advice but they don't have to deal with the agony every step gives you. I treat it with heat and ice as a sprain , progressing to anti-inflammatory cream (pom Feldene from docs). I also have a pedi roller made by carnation bought from Boots. I roll my foot back and forth on it to stretch it all out....it does actually help. And regular pain meds. This last flare has been on going since the end of November as have a few other probs. ( I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and some Osteo ) Sorry I can't help more, but I do sympathise with you it is so painful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 I've just bought The Stick to help with lower back pain and also for treating muscles after running. It is apparently very good for plantar fasciitis too so just thought I'd mention it here. This is the thread about The Stick with a few links, if you're interested. This explains it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 That looks interesting ANH. Will have to look into it as my PF is still bad I keep meaning to make a drs appointment, but keep forgetting. Well, I am always there for the kids, I forget that I need them too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted April 11, 2014 Share Posted April 11, 2014 My pedi roller is kind of like a very small stick. It is 5 inches long, and actually pink , not by choice that is its colour. But not that it or anything else has helped . From Nov to now still in agony , longest it has been in flare. I saw My Consultant and I'm waiting for an app to get a cortisone injection not only in my hand but my heel too. It has gone on too long and none of the therapies are working....so injection it is. ( also back on the DMARDs which I had stopped a while ago as He thought they weren't doing much good , obviously they were. And I'd forgotten how nasty they are too.) If it is still bothering you , you really need to get it referred on for treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted April 11, 2014 Author Share Posted April 11, 2014 I know I do. I think I just worry it will be turning into something severe. My ED has a chronic pain condition, and I need to be able to get her to and from school in her wheelchair. Plus as have my dog to walk. I think all the welly wearing this winter has made things worse. I am trying to do stretches, and use Tiger Balm on my heel every night, which does seem to help the morning pain. In shoes that have flatter heels I wear silicone heel inserts which are a god send. Must see a dr though, if only to get a regimented exercise regime for every day. I am useless at making myself do these things. Hope the injection helps you. Have read mixed results for them, but if it helps you then fantastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 So sorry to hear you're both still struggling with it . I know how miserable it made me and how wonderful it feels when it clears up. I really hope you manage to get it sorted. Do either of you use Sorbothane insoles? I put a pair in my everyday shoes for work and they really seemed to help. I have them in all my trainers now. You must have tried everything you can but do either of you massage your lower legs? That seems to be mentioned a lot in "The Stick" literature. Angie, do you use your roller on your legs or just your feet? http://thestick.com/info/contact/how-it-works/how-i-manage-plantar-fasciitis/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluekarin Posted April 12, 2014 Author Share Posted April 12, 2014 That is a great article. Will do the things suggested Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted April 12, 2014 Share Posted April 12, 2014 Thanks for that link, mine has flared again in the last few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted April 13, 2014 Share Posted April 13, 2014 My PF is linked to my Rheumatoid problems. I have insoles made for me by my podiatrist , they last roughly six months and she is very good at replacing them for me . They help with my foot rotation which also gives relief to knee , hip and back pain. They have been good for all the rest but not this time, and usually it is the right one that is affected not my left . I take a real concoction of drugs all POM not over the counter, from coxibs ,pain meds ,pain channel blockers and DMARDS' . But with an added touch of RA (rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia) thrown into the mixture it is often a losing battle . I would rather have the cortisone injection than be permanently on steroids . Do go and see the doc , don't let it drag on . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted April 14, 2014 Share Posted April 14, 2014 That all sounds so awful, I'm so sorry . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
